Kennel Attendant

St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center; Madison (NJ); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Kennel Attendant to ensure the welfare of animals in their care. In this role, you will provide high-quality animal care, maintain cleanliness, and create a healthy environment for all animals. Your responsibilities will include feeding, exercising, and socializing with animals, while also monitoring their health and behavior. This position offers a unique opportunity to work closely with a variety of animals and make a positive impact on their lives. If you have a passion for animal welfare and enjoy working in a collaborative environment, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Qualifications

• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills required.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Passion for animal care and welfare is essential.

Responsibilities

• Maintain high standards of animal care and welfare.
• Clean and sanitize kennels and equipment as assigned.
• Exercise and socialize with animals regularly.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Animal interaction

Communication skills

Teamwork

Reliability

Education

Minimum one year of animal care experience

Minimum of 18 years of age

Job description

Job Summary:

Under the direction of the supervisors and manager, the Kennel Attendant provides a high standard of animal care to ensure the welfare of animals at St. Hubert’s. Kennel Attendants create a healthy environment for all animals by monitoring their behavior, maintaining the cleanliness of kennels and surrounding areas, and providing exercise and socialization.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Maintain a high standard of animal care and welfare, which includes providing scheduled feedings, medications, clean water at all times, proper bedding and enrichment toys.
• Properly clean and sanitize kennels, rooms, cages, equipment and areas of shelter as assigned, according to St. Hubert’s Standard Operating Procedures.
• Bathe or clean animals on a regular schedule or immediately if they become soiled.
• Exercise and socialize with animals on a regular basis while abiding by St. Hubert’s dog walking policies.
• Observe and document unusual behavior, signs of illness and any injury of an animal on a daily basis.
• Communicate vital information to medical, behavior, and adoptions departments as needed.
• Restrain, confine, and handle animals, including those which are ill, injured, quarantined, and aggressive.
• Make sure all animal rooms are appropriately stocked at all times for morning cleaning and daily care.
• Clean all animal areas outside of the rooms including but not limited to hallways, kitchen areas, inventory areas, outside kennel areas and special rooms.
• Keep up with the daily laundry washing, folding and stocking.
• Conduct Lost and Found tours with members of the public.
• Be knowledgeable and conversational on St. Hubert’s policies and common animal welfare practices.
• Provide excellent customer service to individuals utilizing St. Hubert’s services.
• Work cooperatively with St. Hubert’s volunteers and partners.
• Always represent St. Hubert’s in a professional and courteous manner. Provide quality service to the public, volunteers, and employees recognizing their individual contributions to the success of the organization.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills with the ability to multi-task.
• Love of animals and ability to interact with them in a calm, non-threatening manner.
• Ability to work effectively, both independently and in a team environment.
• Ability to positively interact with colleagues, coworkers, and community members from widely varied backgrounds with integrity and honesty throughout all facets of the position, maintaining confidentiality at all times.
• Reliability, high level of integrity and punctuality are essential.
• Good communication skills and ability to work in a team environment and follow directions.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.

• Passion for St. Hubert’s mission, and for caring for all animals regardless of age, breed, temperament, or species, and supporting and educating members of the public, free of judgment or bias.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Ability to be comfortable working with cats, dogs, small animals, reptiles, fish, and wildlife.
• Ability to perform strenuous physical activity daily, including but not limited to lifting and carrying, reaching, stooping, squatting, and bending. Regularly moves about the facilities to coordinate work.
• Due to the nature of shelter work, may be exposed to deceased, fractious, or aggressive animals; common allergens; hostile or irate persons; zoonotic or other diseases; unpleasant noises, odors, or sights; and extreme temperatures.

Education and Experience:

• Minimum one year of animal care experience, can be with personal pets.
• Minimum of 18 years of age.

Salary premium may be offered for multilingual candidates proficient in Spanish, French and Mandarin.

St. Hubert's is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate because of race, color, creed, gender, religion, national origin, disability, age, pregnancy, genetic predisposition or carrier status, marital status, citizenship status, or sexual orientation. Accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals requiring them.